title: Targeted gene disruption of murine CD7.
abstract: CD7 is a 40 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein member of the Ig superfamily. CD7 is a marker of mature human T cells and NK cells, and is expressed early in their development. Cross-linking CD7 positively modulates T cell and NK cell activity as measured by calcium fluxes, expression of adhesion molecules, cytokine secretion and proliferation. CD7 associates directly with phosphoinositol 3'-kinase, and CD7 ligation induces production of D-3 phosphoinositides and tyrosine phosphorylation. Severe combined immunodeficiency has been associated with a lack of lymphocyte surface CD7. The CD7 ligand is unknown. The murine CD7 homolog is encoded by a single gene on chromosome 11. In order to characterize the role of CD7 in lymphocyte development and function we have eliminated the CD7 gene by targeted disruption. CD7-deficient mice display normal histology of thymus and spleen, normal lymphocyte populations in primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, and normal serum Ig levels. Specific antibody responses after immunization with T-dependent and T-independent antigens are equivalent in wild-type and CD7 knockout mice. CD7-deficient lymphocytes respond normally to T cell mitogenic and allogeneic stimuli, and display normal NK cell cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kokron
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swinton
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Geha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019011:Antigens, CD7 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019011:Antigens, CD7; D007519:Isoantigens; D008934:Mitogens